Adjustable bicycle rack

Abstract

A bicycle rack with a substantially planar carrier surface extending in the longitudinal direction, longitudinal frame members, whereby the carrier surface is adapted to be modified at least in one of size and configuration by the use of cross rail assemblies forming tubular members and extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction and of support arms rotatable as well as axially adjustable within the tubular members; the support arms can be held fast in a preselected axial and rotatable position, whereby the frame members are so arranged that the maximum height of the cross rail assemblies lies substantially within the plane of the carrier surface.

I claim: 
     
       1. A bicycle rack having a longitudinal direction, comprising a first means forming a substantially planar load-carrying surface means extending in the longitudinal direction and including a platform member having a top-carrying surface, frame means having frame members extending substantially in the longitudinal direction, and second means for modifying at least one of size and configuration of the load-carrying surface means including cross rail assembly means extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction underneath said platform member, support arm means rotatable within said cross rail assembly means as well as axially adjustable within said cross rail assembly means in opposite directions, means for securing said support arm means in a preselected axial and rotatable position, and further means in said bicycle rack to support said cross rail assembly means on said longitudinally extending frame members in such a manner as to locate the maximum height of said cross rail assembly means substantially flush with the top-carrying surface. 
     
     
       2. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, further comprising force-responsive means for preventing inadvertent axial movement of the support arm means beyond a maximum axial extension by the presence of lower axial forces but enabling axial movement therebeyond by the presence of higher axial forces on said support arm means. 
     
     
       3. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein a respective cross rail assembly means includes a pair of interconnected, longitudinally spaced hollow tubular members each open at least at one end to receive within-each tubular member a respective support arm means and end cap means fitting over the tubular members and defining said maximum height of the cross rail assembly means, and mechanical connecting means connecting the end cap means to the interconnected tubular members within the area of interconnection between the tubular members. 
     
     
       4. A bicycle rack according to claim 3, wherein each end cap means includes a first part of approximately reniform shape with two interconnected end-cap portions fitting over the ends of respective tubular members, one of said end-cap portions being provided with a through-opening in axial continuation of an open-ended tubular member, and a second part adjoining the first part, said second part being provided with a through-bore substantially continuing the hollow open-ended tubular member and including said securing means. 
     
     
       5. A bicycle rack according to claim 4, wherein said second part include an extension provided with a threaded bore receiving a threaded member for securing a respective support arm means in a preselected position thereof. 
     
     
       6. A bicycle rack according to claim 5, wherein at least said second part of the end cap means is made of a tougher material than the threaded member so that in case of overtorquing the threads of the threaded member will strip first. 
     
     
       7. A bicycle rack according to claim 6,.wherein at least the second part of said end cap means is made from "Delrin" and said threaded member is made from Nylon. 
     
     
       8. A bicycle rack according to claim 6, wherein said extension extends downwardly at an angle in relation to the plane of said carrier surface means. 
     
     
       9. A bicycle rack according to claim 8, wherein said extension extends downwardly in a direction away from the other end-cap portion. 
     
     
       10. A bicycle rack according to claim 4, wherein the connection of said end-cap portions is recessed relative to the end cap portions, and wherein said mechanical connecting means is located within the recessed area of said connection. 
     
     
       11. A bicycle rack according to claim 3, wherein aligned bores are provided in the area of interconnection of each pair of interconnected tubular members, and wherein said mechanical connecting means includes a spring pin in said aligned bores. 
     
     
       12. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein each cross rail assembly means includes a one-piece part forming two tubular members of substantially circular cross section open at each end and interconnected by an integral recessed connecting portion, and end cap means which has two end-cap portions also interconnected by an integral connecting portion, said end cap portions and the connecting portion thereof being of complementary configuration so as to fit over the tubular members and the connecting portions thereof and defining said maximum height of the cross rail assembly means of the cross rail assembly means. 
     
     
       13. A bicycle rack according to claim 12, further comprising mechanical connecting means located within corresponding areas of the connecting portions of the tubular members and of the end cap portions. 
     
     
       14. A bicycle rack according to claim 13, wherein said mechanical connecting means includes spring pin means extending through aligned bores of the connecting portions of said tubular members and of said end cap portions. 
     
     
       15. A bicycle rack according to claim 14, wherein the connecting portions of said tubular members and of said end cap portions are of complementary recessed configuration. 
     
     
       16. A bicycle rack according to claim 15, wherein said recessed configuration resembles a truncated cone. 
     
     
       17. A bicycle rack according to claim 8, wherein said extension extends downwardly at an angle of about 35° to about 70° in a direction away from the other end-cap portion. 
     
     
       18. A bicycle rack according to claim 4, wherein said first and second parts re made in one piece, and wherein the connecting portions of the end cap portions are recessed relative to the end cap portions, said mechanical connecting means being located within the recessed area of said connecting portions. 
     
     
       19. A bicycle rack according to claim 4, wherein said further means are formed by depressions in said longitudinal frame members of such a depth and length that a tangent to the top of the end cap portions substantially coincides with the plane of the carrier surface means. 
     
     
       20. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein a respective support arm means includes two substantially L-shaped portions with a reinforcing gusset located in the corner of each L-shaped portion and formed integral therewith. 
     
     
       21. A bicycle rack according to claim 20, wherein said L-shaped support arm means is made in one piece with the gusset from Delrin. 
     
     
       22. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein two such cross rail assembly means spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction and four support arm means are provided for each rack. 
     
     
       23. A bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein said platform member includes an obliquely upwardly extending forward portion, the longitudinally extending frame members extending on both sides of the platform member and having obliquely upwardly extending forward frame portions interconnected by a cross frame portion welded to the upwardly extending forward portion of the platform member, strut means including strut members extending generally upwardly on both sides of said platform member toward said longitudinally extending frame members, said strut members terminating in short forwardly extending strut portions extending underneath and overlapped by corresponding sections of the longitudinal frame members, said short strut portions being welded to said longitudinal frame members within the area of overlap, said short forwardly extending strut portions being interconnected by a forward strut cross portion extending under and welded to the platform member in the area of a raised forward strut cross portion, and said strut means including rearwardly upwardly extending strut members interconnected by a rear cross strut portion, and the rear end of said platform member extending downwardly from in front thereof into an area of overlap of a rear cross-connecting frame portion connecting said longitudinal frame members and of the rear cross strut portion, and the rear end of said platform member being welded to both said rear cross strut portion and said rear cross connecting member within said area of overlap. 
     
     
       24. A bicycle rack according to claim 23, wherein the rear end of said platform member is of approximately part-circular shape extending between the rear cross strut portion and the rear cross-connecting frame portion. 
     
     
       25. A bicycle rack according to claim 23, wherein said longitudinal frame members are recessed within the area of each cross rail assembly means wherein each said cross rail assembly means are respectively welded to the recessed area. 
     
     
       26. A bicycle rack according to claim 25, wherein the depth of each recess in the longitudinal frame members corresponds substantially to the maximum height dimension of each cross rail means. 
     
     
       27. A bicycle rack according to claim 23 wherein said platform member is provided with longitudinally extending rib means, and wherein said forward cross strut portion is welded to at least some of said longitudinally extending rib means. 
     
     
       28. A bicycle rack according to claim 23, wherein said obliquely upwardly extending platform is provided with an opening for securing therein a securing strap. 
     
     
       29. A bicycle rack according to claim 23, further comprising extender means for securing the platform members to a bicycle including openings in the forward end area of the planar platform member to receive threaded fastening means. 
     
     
       30. A bicycle rack accessory for an existing bicycle rack with a frame means which enables modifying at least one of size and configuration of the carrier surface means, comprising cross rail assembly means to be placed across the frame means, each cross rail assembly means forming two tubular members interconnected by connecting portions and including end cap means with end cap portions fitting over the tubular members and interconnected by connecting portions fitting over the connecting portions of said tubular members, mounting bar means to be inserted under the frame means, threaded means for tightening a respective cross rail assembly means to a corresponding mounting bar means on opposite sides of said frame means to thereby secure said cross rail assembly means and mounting bar means to said frame means, two substantially L-shaped support arm means each having an inner leg portion rotatable within a respective tubular member and axially extendable from opposite ends of the tubular members, securing means in each end cap means for holding a respective support arm means in the selected position thereof, and further force-responsive means for preventing inadvertent axial movement of the support arm means beyond a maximum axial extension by the presence of lower axial forces but enabling axial movement therebeyond by the presence of higher axial forces. 
     
     
       31. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 30, wherein each end cap means includes a first part of approximately reniform shape with two end-cap portions fitting over the ends of respective tubular members and interconnected by the connecting portions thereof, one of said end-cap portions being provided with a through-opening substantially continuing the opening in the tubular member, and a second part adjoining the first part, said second part being provided with a through-bore substantially extending the opening of the tubular member and including said securing means. 
     
     
       32. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 31 wherein said second part includes an extension provided with a threaded bore receiving a threaded member for securing a respective support arm means in the preselected position thereof. 
     
     
       33. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 32, wherein at least said second part of the cap means is made of a tougher material than the threaded member so that in case of overtorquing the threads of the threaded member will strip first. 
     
     
       34. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 33, wherein at least the second part of said end cap means is made from "Delrin" and said threaded member is made from Nylon. 
     
     
       35. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 33, wherein said extension extends downwardly at an angle and in a direction away from the other end-cap portion. 
     
     
       36. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 35, wherein said connecting portions are recessed relative to the end cap portions and the tubular members, said mechanical connecting means being located within the recessed area of said connecting portions. 
     
     
       37. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 36, wherein said mechanical connecting means is formed by aligned bores in said connecting portions and includes a spring pin in said aligned bores. 
     
     
       38. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 37, wherein said recessed configuration resembles a truncated cone. 
     
     
       39. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 30, wherein said further means includes an annular bead near the inner end of the support arm means having a diametric dimension slightly larger than the internal diametric dimension of a respective end cap portion, and the internal diametric dimension of a respective end cap portion being slightly smaller than the internal diametric dimension of a corresponding tubular member which is sufficiently large to firmly support the respective support arm means, yet permits substantially free rotating and axial movements of the support arm means. 
     
     
       40. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 30, wherein each support arm means includes an outer leg with a looped hook portion at the outer end thereof which extends over an arc of more than 180°. 
     
     
       41. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 40, further comprising a triple rack strap, one end of which is attached to the front end of the bicycle rack and after extending about the object(s) to be carried on the rack, is attached in the area of the rear end of the rack. 
     
     
       42. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 41, wherein each looped hook portion extends over such an arc in excess of 180° that a spacing remains between the free end of the looped hook portion and an adjacent leg portion of the support arm means which permits the insertion of one strap of the triple rack strap, wherein each support arm means includes a reinforcing gusset in the corner defined at the junction of the inner and outer legs and wherein each said L-shaped support arm means is made in one piece with the gusset from Delrin. 
     
     
       43. A bicycle rack accessory according to claim 30, wherein two such cross rail means spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction and four support arm means are provided for each rack accessory. 
     
     
       44. A bicycle rack, comprising first means forming a substantially planar load-carrying surface means extending in the longitudinal direction, and second means for modifying at least one of size and configuration of the load-carrying surface means including cross rail assembly means extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction, support arm means rotatable within said cross rail assembly means as well as axially adjustable within said cross rail assembly means in opposite directions, means for securing said support arm means in a preselected axial and rotatable position, and force-dependent further means for preventing axial movement of the support arm means beyond a maximum axial extension by the presence of lower axial forces on said support arm means but enabling axial movement therebeyond by the presence of higher forces on said support arm means. 
     
     
       45. A bicycle rack according to claim 44, wherein a respective cross rail assembly means includes a pair of hollow open tubular members spaced in the longitudinal direction, and end cap means at each end of the tubular members having end cap portions fitting over the tubular members and continuing only one of the open tubular members. 
     
     
       46. A bicycle rack according to claim 45 wherein said further means includes an annular bead near the inner end of the support arm means having a diametric dimension slightly larger than the internal diametric dimension of a respective end cap portion, and the internal diametric dimension of a respective end cap portion being slightly smaller than the internal diametric dimension of a corresponding tubular member. 
     
     
       47. A bicycle rack according to claim 44, wherein each support arm means includes two substantially L-shaped leg portions with a looped hook portion which extends over an arc of more than 180°. 
     
     
       48. A bicycle rack according to claim 47, further comprising a triple rack strap, one end of which is attached to the front end of the bicycle rack and after extending about an object to be carried on the rack, is attached in the area of the rear end of the rack. 
     
     
       49. A bicycle rack according to claim 48, wherein the looped hook portion of a respective support arm means extends over such an arc in excess of 180° that a spacing remains between the free end of the looped hook portion and an adjacent support arm leg portion which permits the insertion of one strap of the triple rack strap. 
     
     
       50. A bicycle rack according to claim 44, wherein two such cross rail means spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction add four support arm means are provided for each rack. 
     
     
       51. A frame for a bicycle rack, comprising a substantially planar platform member having an obliquely upwardly extending forward platform portion, longitudinally extending frame members extending on both sides of the platform member and having obliquely upwardly extending forward frame portions interconnected by a cross frame portion welded to the upwardly extending forward portion of the platform member, strut means including strut members extending generally upwardly on both sides of said platform member toward said longitudinally extending frame members, said strut members terminating in short forwardly extending strut portions extending underneath and overlapped by corresponding sections of the longitudinal frame members, said short forwardly extending strut portions being welded to said longitudinal frame members within the area of overlap, said short forwardly extending strut portions being interconnected by a forward strut cross portion extending under and welded to the platform member along a raised part of the forward strut cross portion, said strut means further including rearwardly upwardly extending strut members interconnected by a rear cross strut portion, and the rear end of said platform member extending from in front and underneath a rear cross-connecting frame portion connecting said longitudinal frame members, and the rear end of said platform member being welded to both said rear cross-connecting frame portion as well as to the rear cross strut portion thereby providing at the same time a welded connection between the overlapping rear cross-connecting frame portion and the rear cross strut portion. 
     
     
       52. A frame according to claim 51, wherein the rear end of said platform member is of approximately part-circular shape extending between the rear cross strut portion and the rear cross-connecting frame portion from in front thereof. 
     
     
       53. A frame according to claim 51, further comprising cross rail assembly means welded to said longitudinal frame members and wherein said longitudinal frame members are recessed within the area of each cross rail assembly means which is welded thereto. 
     
     
       54. A frame according to claim 53 wherein the depth of each recess in the longitudinal frame members corresponds substantially to the maximum height dimension of each cross rail assembly means. 
     
     
       55. A frame according to claim 53, wherein said platform member is provided with longitudinally extending rib means, and wherein said forward cross strut portion is welded to at least some of said longitudinally extending rib means. 
     
     
       56. A frame according to claim 51, wherein said obliquely upwardly extending platform is provided with an opening for securing therein a securing strap. 
     
     
       57. A frame according to claim 51, further comprising extender means for securing the platform members to a bicycle including openings in the forward end area of the planar platform member to receive threaded fastening means. 
     
     
       58. A bicycle rack having a longitudinal direction, comprising frame means having frame members extending substantially in the longitudinal direction and in a substantially transverse direction, some of said substantially transversely extending frame members forming cross rail assembly means, a first means forming a substantially planar load-carrying surface means whose top-carrying surface defines the plane thereof and includes at least some of said frame members, second means for modifying at least one of size and configuration of the load-carrying surface means including said cross rail assembly means as well as support arm means which are rotatable within said cross rail assembly means and axially adjustable within said cross rail assembly means in opposite directions, said cross rail assembly means being supported on at least some of said substantially longitudinally extending frame members, means for securing said support arm means in a preselected axial and rotatable position, and further means to locate the maximum height of said cross rail assembly means substantially flush with said top-carrying surface, said further means including one recessed section in each longitudinal frame member for each cross rail assembly means supported thereon, and each recessed section extending downwardly from the plane of the top-carrying surface by a distance substantially corresponding to the maximum height of the cross rail assembly means.